MILLTOWN — Wilmington Charter scored three times in the fourth quarter to capture a come-from-behind boys lacrosse win at Saint Mark’s on May 16. It was the regular-season finale for both teams.
The Spartans hosted the Force under the lights at the Graveyard, and the teams put on an entertaining prime-time performance in front of a large crowd. Saint Mark’s was in control early, but the Force turned the momentum as the game progressed.
Alex Salerni got the scoring started two and a half minutes in, beating Charter goalie Nathan Chiou high after taking a pass in front from Wes Millman. That was made possible by a Millman interception of a Force pass following a check.
The physicality continued all night, and Charter was called for two penalties in a 45-second span midway through the first quarter. On the second man-up situation, David Astfalk picked off a Charter pass and fed Salerni all alone in front of the Force net, and Salerni buried it for the 2-0 lead.
Charter did not have any possession time to speak of until about five minutes remained in the first, and they went to work with a long, patient approach. Finally, with 1:43 left in the first, Michael Stella beat Spartans goalie Logan Gibbons from distance to get the Force on the board.
Reece Vanderslice got on the score sheet early in the second with two goals in a span of 83 seconds, increasing the Spartans’ lead to 4-1. The prettiest goal of the night, and one of the best of the season, was next. Dan Mitchell bounced through three Force defenders, and as he emerged from that scrum, he took a blind shot over his right shoulder. The ball found nothing but the net with 6:50 remaining in the half.
Goals would be hard to come by for the Spartans after that, however, and Charter began its comeback. James Moen connected with a high shot at the 4:32 mark, and less than a minute and one faceoff win later, Moen struck again. This time, he saw an opening between himself and Gibbons, and he scored again.
The next goal belonged to Charter’s Brody Hood, who sent a low scoop shot into the net. The Force took the ensuing faceoff, held possession for more than a minute, and got a bouncer from Moen with 46 seconds to go in the half.
Charter started the second half a man up, and Thomas Stanley was in goal for the Spartans. He proved his mettle immediately with two big saves, and the period continued with the defenses dominating. The Spartans had two man-up situations and held the ball for long stretches of time, but they could not find the net.
Finally, with four minutes left in the third, Mitchell found an opening low to put Saint Mark’s back on top. The Spartans survived a penalty, but Domenick Paoli tied the game with just 31 seconds to go in the third. Undaunted, the Spartans won the faceoff, and Astfalk finished with a long, low laser six seconds before the buzzer sounded.
The Spartans led, 7-6, after three, but they would not score again. Charter’s defense was strong, forcing the Spartans into several turnovers. Ruhan Patel tied the game a minute and a half into the fourth. The Force took the lead two minutes later, with Stella going upstairs to beat Stanley on a man-up situation, giving the Force their first lead.
Chiou made some nice saves in the closing minutes, but the Spartans had one final chance when they got the ball on a violation with 48 seconds to go. They could not convert, and the Force took over. Moen scored his fourth of the night with 21 seconds left to seal the victory.
Charter finished the regular season at 11-4, while the Spartans are 12-3. It is Saint Mark’s best regular-season record since 2013. Both teams are expected to earn berths in the DIAA tournament. The field will be announced Saturday afternoon.
Photos by Mike Lang.